Bachelor and Diploma Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Are there really job opportunities for new teachers?

The teaching profession will always need, and be able to use, good teachers.  New teachers who are willing or able to move to other cities, rural placements, or other provinces may have an advantage right now when it comes to hiring. 

2.  Are some teaching subjects more popular than others?

Actually, certain teaching subjects at both the Junior-Intermediate and Intermediate-Senior levels are chronically under-subscribed when we look each year at our applicant pool. Others teaching subjects are traditionally popular, no matter what program stream. These are English, Geography, History, Individual and Society, and Physical Education.

The popularity of a teaching subject does not necessarily reflect the number of teaching positions that may be available in the province. Remember that most academic subjects are taught in every school, such as English and Mathematics. The important issue is to choose a teaching subject you are excited about teaching; then make sure that you have the proper academic requirements on your transcript. It also helps to gain experiences that will make you a better teacher; these include volunteering in schools and with youth groups, coaching, getting involved with student government, travelling, and working in various settings.

3.  How do I know which program stream or teaching subjects to choose?

Consider where your interests lie and what subject you most like thinking about or discussing. Probably, the undergraduate degree program you have chosen reflects this. Usually, then, the teaching subject option will become obvious.

What grade range or age group do you like best? This will indicate which program stream is the best match for you. For example, have you enjoyed working with small children at summer camp? The Primary-Junior program covers Junior-Kindergarten to Grade Six and might be an excellent choice for you. Or do you like the challenges of upper-level Chemistry or Biology? Then the high school program stream, Intermediate-Senior, might be the best program to consider, especially because these teaching subjects only exist at this level.

If you are still having trouble deciding which direction to take, you may find that your university's career services unit can offer you career counselling to help you further define your interests and strengths. You may also find resource material about teaching in the career services' libraries.

Every fall, the Academic Counsellor from The University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Education visits many universities throughout the province. Join us for an information session or visit us at your university's Professional Schools Day.

One last idea is to volunteer in a school: it will help you to test the water in this new career and build your own portfolio of experiences in preparation for your application to the B.Ed. program.

4.  How long is the program and is it offered on a part-time basis?

The Bachelor of Education/Diploma in Education program is a full-time program that runs from September until April.  Students attend Monday to Friday.  Classes are held anytime from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm, Monday to Thursdays, while Fridays are set aside for in-faculty or practicum days.  Approximately 10 weeks of the program consist of student teaching in the classroom.  For detailed information on our program curriculum, please click here.

5.  Do you have mature student or special needs admission?

All candidates must meet the same admissions requirements. We do not consider any information other than what we see on the academic transcript or read on your Experience Profile. In fact, there will be no exceptions to the 70% minimum average as an academic requirement to our program whether it is in the overall average or in either teaching subject.

The only special program we have is the Aboriginal Access Program. Candidates who have aboriginal ancestry and wish to declare it in the admissions process will receive an offer if their applications meet all of our minimum requirements, such as an overall average of 70% or more.

6.  Can I apply to more than one program?

You must choose one program stream only when applying to our program.  It is recommended that you choose the program in which you best meet the program requirements.  You may not change program streams or teaching subjects after the application deadline.

7.  Do I have to have a major or a minor in the teaching subject I’m planning to choose?

 As long as you have the appropriate credits to support your teaching subject or program stream, it does not matter in which area you complete your undergraduate degree. 

8.  I do not have all the required courses or grades, but I have a lot of experience.  Can my experience be used as a substitute instead?

We cannot accept work experience as a substitute for minimum course requirements.  Competition for a place in our program is very strong and our preference is for applicants who have fulfilled the program stream requirements to which they are applying.

9.  How are applications evaluated?

All applications go through three stages, and the first two stages are devoted entirely to a review of your academic background. All university graduates are considered equally, and no preference is given to one university over another. First, we calculate the overall average of the top 10 full or equivalent university credits on your transcript. Without exception, this average must be 70% or more. If it is, then the application is qualified to move to stage two.

Stage two is highly competitive. At this point, we compare the application to others in the program stream or with the same teaching subject(s). A minimum 70% average in the teaching subjects must be met, but, this time, the marks must be competitive in relation to the other applications in this program stream. This allows us to choose the best qualified candidates, especially in the most popular streams or subjects. With all applications, we will determine the total number of university credits an applicant has achieved and will give preference to those with 20 full or equivalent credits--regardless of whether it is a general or an honours degree. In addition, we will notice how many credits Junior-Intermediate or Intermediate-Senior applicants have taken in their teaching subject(s). At this stage, we will also consider how well Primary-Junior and Junior-Intermediate applicants have prepared themselves to teach the diverse curriculum in elementary schools. This is because, as an elementary school teacher, you will teach your students all academic subjects. Your university transcript, then, needs to reflect the fact that you have taken at least one half university credit in preferably four out of these five subject areas: English, Fine Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, or Visual Arts), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science/Humanities.

If the application is still qualified at this second step, then it progresses to stage three.  It is at stage three that we look at your background by evaluating your Experience Profile.  We look at how you described your past experiences. Special attention is given to applicants communication skills and use of good grammar and spelling.

A team of qualified staff, faculty, and teachers review each application.

10.  What is considered a full credit?

At Western one full credit is the equivalent of two half courses. 

11.  Can I use high school or college courses to satisfy the program requirements?

Only university courses can support a program stream or teaching subject.  You must have completed10 full or equivalent university credits when applying to our program. 

12.  How do you calculate my overall and teaching subject average?

The best 10 full or equivalent undergraduate credits on your university transcripts are used in calculating your overall average.  All transcripts that show averages in grades other than percentages will be converted to percentages. We will use a combination of full and half credits, if applicable, to give you the best advantage.   An overall average of 70% in these credits is required.  Please submit all copies of your transcripts if you have attended more than one university.  Graduates from The University of Western Ontario who apply to UWO need not order or send UWO transcripts; however, UWO graduates must order transcripts for institutions attended prior to or after UWO. 

Graduate credits are not considered when calculating your overall average, but can be used to support your teaching subject.  Only credits supporting your teaching subject will be used in calculating the teaching subject average.  An overall average of 70% in these credits is required. 

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

13.  Why will the courses I am currently taking this fall not be included in the calculation of the overall average or teaching subject average of this year’s application?

Transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline when applying to our B.Ed program.  Courses that are currently being taking in the fall will not appear officially on your transcript with grades until January. 

If you are taking or will be taking courses to complete a program stream or teaching subject requirements, please include these courses in the TEAS application for consideration. 

14.  How do I know which of my courses meet the teaching subject requirements?

Core courses are those courses that are offered in a department directly related to your teaching subject (e.g., English 020 in the English Department).  Related courses must have substantial content that relates to your teaching subject (e.g., Political Science for History).  If you have courses on your undergraduate or graduate degree transcripts related to teaching subjects or elementary school general academic areas, then you must submit course descriptions to the Office of the Registrar at The University of Western Ontario by the application deadline for the courses to be considered. Course descriptions must be copied directly from the granting institution’s academic calendar. The University of Western Ontario reserves the right to accept or deny the appropriateness of any courses submitted for consideration.  For more information on related credits, please visit http://www.edu.uwo.ca/preservice/downloads/relatedSubjects.pdf .

15.  I still have more questions. How do I reach you?

Due to the very large number of inquiries we receive during the application period, we may not be able to respond to further requests for information before the application deadline.  Information Sessions about applying to the Faculty are being offered until the end of November, and you are encouraged to attend and to ask questions there.  Please consider carefully the guidelines provided on our web site, and submit your application by the deadline.  Our evaluators will in due course review all the information you provide and do everything they can to view your application in the most favourable light possible.  For information on applying and application deadlines, please visit our How to Apply web page.

If your questions concern a future application rather than an application before the deadline, please send an enquiry after January 15, to eduwo@uwo.ca.